The Washington critic., 1887-02-03
THE TELEPHONE GIRL.

IL II LLLl IL " lNh SIIths
"Well," said Mr.. Roland Wayne,
when he came into his office, after
several days illness with wrctched
neuralgia, which affected him when.
ever the east wind blew you got
some one for the telephone-did you,
Burns?"
"Yes, sir" the head clerk replied.
"rhc young lady has been here since
Tuesday"
Young lady exclaimed Mr..
Wayne, testify. why do you get
woman? A brokers' Office is no place
for woman
"Why, you see, SIR" said Burns,
with an obvious embarrassment aud
apprehensive glances toward light
oak partition, behind which the new
operator sat in concealment, "you
didn't say anything about that, only
that Mr.. Richards had his hands full
with the wires, aud that there'd have
TO be some one TO take charge of the
telephone; so L"
THAT is just like you, Burns" said
Mr. Wayne, stamping back into his
private office; "any one else would
have known better"
Why, you see, sir" said Burns,
dcfensiyCly, as he followed him back,
Il didn't think it would make much diff.
ference. The young lady is very capa.
bic and she seemed to want the place
so badly. She is very poor, sir, and
supports her mother. know some.
thing about her, you see.
"Oh! Some flame Of yours | sup.
pose, Burns? Very nice arrangement
for you, no doubt"
II beg pardon, sir" said Burns, in
an offended manner. Il am married
man."
by Jove ! so you are !' said Roland
Wayne, with laugh. II had forgot
ten that. Though he added humor.
ously, THAT doesn't always make
difference. Well, try her, anyhow.
Where's the mail, please %
"I tell you what Burns" one of the
other clerks observed, when that indi-
vidual finally emerged from Mr.
Wayne's office. the boss is in a fly
lumor, isn't he ?"
"llc's all right" Burns answered,
warmly. "He has given me ticket to
Atlantic City, and two days Off"
The clerk whistled.
why, thought he was going to
take your head oil"
you don't know him. / am sure It
Is no shame to man whose nerves
are always twinging with neuralgia
If he loses his temper now and then.
Roland, meanwhile, had taken up
his pen, and was writing lengthy ac-
count Of Briskets new deal in p. Y.
& NJ;
"Ifthe cat jumps this way" he said,
in conclusion, the bears have got him
sure. Danbury is on our side. lie
has given Briskct the cold shoulder,
and, If I'm not mistaken, somebody
will get wofully left. don't intend
that II shall be |. If everything goes
as thinl; it will | shall pocket 5000.
O00, and then am going to get out of
the brokerage business. 1t doesn't suit
me, and my health is so poor that |
must get away somewhere or shall 20
10 pieces
IL beg pardon, sir !" said a soft tire.
mulous voice at his elbow. 81 am Miss
Archer, Mr.. Wayne"
Roland dropped his pen, and rose po.
litely as he saw slight, graceful
figure In black standing before him.
"Be seated, Miss Archer" he said
with smile which no man could have
withheld when he saw the fairness of
her young face, and that shy, sweet
flush on her checks. "What can | do
for yonI' ,,o ,o,o,,,,o.o o,,o.,,o,. j., i, i.
began, rapidly, and with nervousness
she could not conceal. I-I could
not help hearing what you said to Mr..
Burns little while ago,-and came
10 say that If you are not satisfied to
have me stay in the Office, you need
only say so"
Not satisfied p Roland echoed, In
manifest confusion. "Well, really,
you know ] have not given you trial;
and as TO what said little while ago,
am sorry, Miss Archer. | am afraid
You will have to set 1t down to neural
pia. ! am quite willing to have you
stay If you will"
you are very kind" she said,
lacing and unlacing her fingers in some
confusion. ! should like to stay--in.
deed, 1t Is very important that should
have this position, or something else.
But If what you say is true-if a
brokers' office Is no place for woman
IL think would rather not stay"
How Roland Wayne abused himself
when he thought of his careless words,
and then marked how her lips quivered,
how her eyelids dropped to keep back
the unshed tears!
81 think ] spoke too hastily, Miss
Archer" he said. "A ladys place is
where She makes 1t. We are not lot
of savages," he added, with Il warm
smile. "lf you remain here think
can insure you courteous aud consid-
crate treatment on the part of every
one In this Office. If such Is not ac.
corded you, you have only to inform
me, and | will know the reason why. 4"
"Iou arc very kind" said Miss
Archer, with bright, dieting smile.
81 should like to stay. really cannot
afford to resign my position"
Then stay, by all means, said Ro-
land.
And, to the edidcatiou of his clerks,
he got up aud opened the door for her
when she went out.
After that, he often caught himself
listening TO the soft, yet distinct voice
in the other room, holding conyersa-
tiOns over the phone.
When he was at home with one Of
his attacks of neuralgia, and had to
communicate with the Office by wire he
often remarked how well he could hear
Miss Archer's voice, when all the
others ebbcd away into Babel of
sound.
Burns did fine thing when he got
that girl in the Office" he mu=cd, one
day, when he was kept prisoner very
inOpportuuely. 81 don't know what
we'd do without hcr--now especially
It's bad enough as 1t is, | couldn't
have had this attack at worse time.
Ini L nrllnsa nunrNlAlnn L. nil MIMI